Chapter 186: Confusion (3)
mmoNWithin the isolated grounds where the Ravenclaw Academy was being built, there were a total of seven buildings.2Ntno
kBKGThe Delphinia Pavilion, which in practice would serve as the central academic building and the core responsible for the most important administrative tasks; taking the Delphinia Pavilion as a reference, to the east stood the Silver Crown Pavilion.aAP
jBTDesignated for the education of young ladies; the magic classroom buildings, the Ravenclaw Pavilion and the Ribelten Pavilion; the dormitory building, Amaryllis House; the Clement Cultural Pavilion, where social activities would take place.hOXH3cA
9GmkQqFAnd lastly, the Bellos Pavilion, which had been ceded as the emperor’s exclusive residence.mUb01
UcUIf one continued toward the periphery, there were a few more buildings, but at the very least, that was the extent reached by Kohella’s barrier circle.6ln
Kjzk“We have gathered all the guests in the main hall of the Delphinia Pavilion. In addition, at the level of the imperial guard, a thorough inspection was carried out of every corner within the barrier circle, but no suspects were found.”bBm6s
j4f033The head maid, Elpin, reported the situation to Dereck, who was seated in a corner of the administrative office of the Delphinia Pavilion.F4e
gluThat place, which in theory was meant to become the main workspace for the teaching staff, had been transformed into a provisional base where the key figures of the imperial guard evaluated the situation.4nwn
4WdvsThe Delphinia Pavilion, located at the center of the academic complex, was the most suitable site from which to observe and coordinate the overall state of Ravenclaw Academy.92HLm
u2NWithin the barrier circle that covered the academy’s construction site, multiple factions were intertwined, exchanging opinions and tensions.TDVOuA0
7wAO0On one side, the imperial delegation led by Princess Roselin and the guard; on the other, the nobles of the southwestern territories, led by Baron Ravenclaw; and, in addition, the group of magical advisors under Kohella’s command.Ug6fK
eJIxLThere were no direct confrontations between the representatives of each group, but it was impossible to avoid agitation among the subordinate members.SyaX
2Vd“Damn it! Are there really still people who believe those stories about six-star confusion mages and other absurd nonsense?!”ZiGD
7zv4B“Even if someone like that existed, there’s no way to capture them! From what I heard, there were more victims last night… at this rate we’re all going to die…!”I1fm
9cLEFrom the corridor came panic-filled voices of young nobles, unable to contain their fear.TTVZ54
osmThe head maid Elpin lowered her head and looked at Dereck with an anxious expression, but he spoke without showing even a trace of emotional disturbance.ZDPAWV
gLQNz4“How are the guests in the main hall?”wHRcym
2F9guLW“There is enough food and water, so we are not lacking in basic necessities. However, since two more magical advisors died last night, everyone is even more agitated.”KnIIY
nAb“That was to be expected.”VO5z
MAwzeYThe previous night, while a thorough search was being carried out among the empty buildings of Ravenclaw Academy to check whether someone was hiding there, two more magical advisors under Kohella’s orders were murdered.Ilre
Yvh9ddOne appeared hanging at the main entrance of the Ravenclaw Pavilion, and the other at the entrance of the Ribelten Pavilion, both with their arms outstretched, just as had happened before.as4G
BjorNOf course, there were no clues.7r1uWa
XyDThere were no witnesses.2Gnv
IFTNor any circumstantial evidence.aOWi
xYPSCdtThe method of the crime was clear kill, erase the memories of everyone present at the scene, and disappear calmly.glnph7
i5POf the imperial magical advisors Kohella had brought, only one remained.PbkL8
kBWEJkVA man named Dalton, who was so cornered by fear that he was beginning to show signs of confusion.InnWw
Ko0Ww“Where is the last remaining magical advisor?”Y86OkLs
yxx2“In the main hall of this Delphinia Pavilion. She is on the verge of losing her sanity from fear, but at least the main hall is the safest place, so we are protecting it along with the guests.”I54u
l5K0pbDereck held his breath, once again ran a hand over his dry face, and stood up from his seat.V6DyC
vDvI“I need to go see the situation.”OqAeoT
Ev1JO“That is…”BQtm1
uzm“Is there a problem?”56ZDCt
gO83k“The state of the main hall is more chaotic than it appears. I suppose that, given the circumstances, it is inevitable.”lN1ry
Edee6“Even with Princess Roselin there, can control not be maintained?”8DWMnmb
HRag“That’s right… with the situation as it is… there is a rumor that once all of Lady Kohella’s subordinates have died, the next targets will be the guests themselves.”Wpk
tkENIt was quite a reasonable deduction.Q0Cy
tqDIf Kohella did not lift the barrier even after losing all her subordinates, the killer could begin murdering the guests one by one—people with considerable influence in society.Zh24Cl
MlqxThe higher their status, the greater the likelihood that they would become targets.1A4ydv
76MIf public opinion formed that Kohella was allowing the guests to die, she would have no choice but to deactivate the barrier circle.7TNjp
ugzHowever, Dereck knew.YyfLELG
EeNc— Don’t worry, Dereck.HOs2H
3pL1qThat fanatic would not lift the barrier for anything in the world, at least until she discovered the six-star confusion mage.CdHEr0a
IL8LTRDereck stood up and silently headed down the corridor toward the main hall.j6VL2
jFfhThe head maid Elpin followed him, sweating coldly.aBAopH
sFqii5***0hT2
cRizmu“Damn it… damn it… we’re going to die…! If we don’t do something right now, we’re really going to die…!”NP2Rz
O0o6f4“We know that guy killed the emperor and stole the imperial treasure, but… at this rate we’re all going to end up dead…”EfXh
95d4“Shh…! Speak softly…! The princess might hear you…”p32Kf
qOpoYThe Main Hall of the Delphinia Pavilion had literally turned into something resembling a refugee camp after a war.Z3Irj
Il2AaSOverturned tables, tableware rolling across the floor, and piles of fabrics and cushions on which the guests sat with utterly despondent expressions.rtGI
OMNaEmdOn the balcony of the second floor, Princess Roselin observed the entire hall from above.XcG
UgX66FaA deep fatigue was reflected in her eyes.3GQ
85XHDereck went straight up to the balcony and greeted her.41PwTm6
slQgOt3“So it’s you? I received the report that last night, together with the imperial guard, you searched every corner of the academy. It seems there were no results.”Wri2L
jOX“It seems you haven’t slept at all.”hkrQf
HHM“Of course not. At least for these three days, I won’t be able to sleep a wink. I knew that from the beginning.”7AK
PcRdJVFPrincess Roselin was a person marked from birth with the most special seal of the imperial family, one that made her immune to all types of magic.FyFLTY
PyHMbEven within the Empire, her constitution was exceptional.W49
QjxThat was why she had never feared magic as a phenomenon in itself.COKFQ
k5EeAnd precisely that quality of hers was the central key in the search for the confusion-type mage.UFx
h2mh6l2Under normal circumstances, there is no way to capture such a mage.6No4
D5IWBSomeone capable of reading, manipulating, and erasing memories, and even deceiving perception and the senses, is practically impossible to identify.2cVC2QV
sBJIU92However, as long as the exception called Roselin existed, there was a possibility.87n
9MKShe was completely immune to all confusion-type magic.p71d6
dQ1If someone began manipulating memories or adjusting people’s perception in an unnatural way, she would notice it instantly.VKCtPJS
L0nFor that reason, from the perspective of the confusion-type mage, they could not manipulate memories indiscriminately.bCbuNzn
dlEIn addition to the enormous mana consumption, the risk of being discovered was far too high.TI5Z
p8wcDAs long as that “reference point” called Roselin existed, any excessive alteration would eventually turn against them and expose them.nNw3sdC
EQAghjE“Even so, sitting here and observing the main hall from above has its interesting side.”RJZX
bga5f“Oh? Really?”lit0gW
xH7WW4“Of course. Where else could you see territorial nobles, dressed in luxurious outfits and strutting as if the world belonged to them, trembling in fear simply because they fear death? Regardless of rank, everyone fears death.”tvsaFs
PfMbThe fatigue was clearly visible on Princess Roselin’s face.Y0Uj
xWBHer voice was beginning to waver, and her hair had lost its luster.XDl
5IEEven so, as long as she remained awake and conscious, that place continued to be the only safe space that the confusion-type mage could not access.YqNRuJ
t7W7Aware of the crucial role she played, Roselin did not seem willing to rest even for a single moment.miOA
YFZ“I am not exempt from that either.”qt5Na
9vR“…”f2JjMc
uW26y7“As you can see, I’m exhausted. Spending one night without sleep is something I’m used to when I study or train, but if this drags on for two or three days, there’s a high chance I won’t endure it. And when that happens… the guests may start dying one by one.”RU7k3LO
94XAlthough Princess Roselin did not feel any particular affection for the nobility, she understood perfectly the impact their deaths would have, and she did not want to bear that unnecessary risk.xi3Ra6I
H8YAfter all, human life is not something that can be discarded lightly.atQHAz
NxJZrKAlthough, in truth, there was something that mattered to her even more than that general sense of morality.ZAk
Z113“That bastard killed my father.”do5
tMxHRoselin’s eyes burned with greater intensity.WPg
R693Even in her exhausted state, a fierce flame was still alive in her gaze.orRKhN
Wd35kXYIt was impossible to know what kind of father Emperor Gatrell had been to her.9Qnwrt
dbc8fwGBut the fire of vengeance in her eyes made it perfectly clear what emotions dominated her.6Qrl5
KRDgkE“If I could tear him apart with my own hands, I would do so without hesitation. But I also cannot allow anger to make me commit a mistake.”bFCqV
52B“If I’m being honest, the situation isn’t good. If they kill the last remaining magical advisor, this could truly escalate.”YSD
gD2kPx“I know. The captain of the guard keeps repeating it. So tell me, do you really think the right thing to do is to let that murderer who killed my father and stole the greatest treasure of the Empire escape?”L0IM
F8mZ“…”1nbd
94UOfhJRoselin looked at Dereck with an icy expression.cwow
fT79U7Many bureaucrats had surely already suggested to her that, if the situation worsened too much, perhaps the best course would be to lift the barrier and at least save the survivors.x6ZiMs
bD3srdAs a ruler, that could be considered a reasonable decision.Wqr1nHD
KNPuW0Rather than remain trapped here with an impossible-to-capture killer, it might be better to secure safety and search for him calmly from outside.a6L
TmElBut Roselin clenched her teeth.zOWTq
dSslHer stance was clearly opposed to lifting the barrier.ypa2O
tY9g0NAlthough her reason differed from Kohella’s.P24f
QGTiZwr“They said that once all of Kohella’s subordinates are dead, the guests will start dying. That means the dark lioness of House Duplain, the leader Ellen of House Belmierd, or Denise of House Beltus could fall. After all, they are the most influential families in the southwest of the continent.”nUaSk
vV2“…”BjdKK
6zd“If the disciples you cherish so much are murdered, you won’t be very different from me either. You’ll burn with fury. Am I wrong?”Xcy
sWQnrCtDereck nodded.ZbwBi
DOQKk1He could not deny it.CiWbl2
27xrpLHaving grown up receiving guidance from great masters, he deeply valued the bond between teacher and disciple.GRAMlw9
HdYK5If his students were to die dragged down by this situation, he would undoubtedly bare his fangs to capture and execute the one responsible.6kx8XC
5my“As I said before, time is not on our side. If we’ve reached this point, the right thing to do is to find him immediately.”hZk9Ni8
1NOhIl“And do you have any clear method? I’ll warn you now relying on the Book of Longing is not a good option.”4kylJ
GQUPrincess Roselin did not seem to have a favorable opinion of that magical artifact.xwd5uv
SGuwAs the one who most wanted to capture the culprit, she had solid reasons for not resorting to it.3LNEn
f09Dereck shook his head.AKaaD
MET“Princess Roselin. I’m going to gamble.”fBGs
5HrShe raised her exhausted face with difficulty to look at him.dHSg
r5BHe always spoke in a dry tone, but his words sometimes carried great weight.aQRv
913GuaDereck raised one arm and showed her how the tips of his fingers were trembling slightly.RhleX
o680It was rare to see someone like him, who did not flinch even in the worst situations, so tense.0Nk4iZ
JbnQR“If you think about it a bit, you’ll understand. Once the head of the imperial mages is dead, who do you think that confusion-type mage will target first? Duplain? Belmierd? Beltus?”kdrPd
CeOJR“…”7ldh
OIec“It won’t be any of them.”OctAW
oeYazLZOnly then did Princess Roselin understand why Dereck was trembling so subtly.fmce3
sfSTo cause even greater chaos in this place and plunge everyone into terror, one had to strike at the head of command.osOUb
wKVAnd in this scenario, there were only three people who held real authority.Lh0oT
mcgXOn the Empire’s side, Roselin.ssYGq5
fnFvDOn the side of the magical advisors, Kohella.DiOn
GTM4tAnd finally, the true operational authority of the academy Dereck.k6UF
vNclDCRoselin could not be affected by magic.LHeej
Ckyg7s7Killing Kohella was, in itself, a nearly impossible task.N6L81X
zuySo by elimination, only one option remained.fAoi
BhEd“Y-you…?”PaasJP
iFsYVhThe pupils of Princess Roselin, who always maintained an aloof and cold composure, trembled for an instant.yTDt
Crid6The face of Dereck reflected in her eyes was, as always, expressionless.TaRyL
7Px“…”rc2FCM
KE0Dereck could die at any moment.QtA
4jnW3Without even realizing it, his consciousness could be snuffed out all at once, like an extinguished candle, and his life would be lost.AdRMVk
6aRG5Every second was a boundary between life and death.nSXJly
MHHNDIf he were at least exploring a labyrinth, he could search for safe zones or remain alert to protect himself.qO62Qi
M8VucBut here, he could not even resist.pzXLP
Pj8yFkiIt was like wandering inside a fog of death, without knowing when or from where the end would come.XvI
Oe93TqDeath is something everyone fears.uYIl
7NRThat was exactly what Princess Roselin had just said.rxH
hS2Me0And Dereck was no exception.Cpd
ZhByoQpIn a corner of the main hall, one could see a magical advisor who, seized by panic, had fallen into a state of confusion, trembling as he wet himself.cEg
vyRSeHeIt was a pitiful and shameful sight, but not incomprehensible.PRsPy
fCeobBeing hunted by an imperceptible killer was a stress capable of completely pulverizing human reason.3CCqdo
YMhWCspAll it took was closing and opening one’s eyes to find oneself directly in the afterlife.ZmcHsWv
W92GLWMAnd yet.HHVO5
S1DaDereck showed only a slight tremor at the tips of his fingers.343DL
69Z9He did not writhe on the floor pathetically, nor did he shrink into a corner dominated by fear.arH2Z
LjWPztTHe was a man accustomed to having the blade of death brushing against his neck.EU3u
a3THzo“Y-you… can you keep your sanity in a situation like this?”DA8Nj
mBgBS“Can’t you see? My fingers are trembling.”L3W
3se1UPrincess Roselin realized that the man called Dereck was not an ordinary person.CmBZ
f3beIf Dereck himself, who in practice directed all the academy staff, were to break under fear or show hesitation, everyone present would fall into chaos.mOTE1R
bAqiPerhaps, after rolling around for so long in the world of the nobility, this man had begun to acquire, without realizing it, the qualities of a ruler.gzkBm
heb9ZPvRoselin began to see Dereck in a different light.LUNn
MnSjTEdAt the very least, he was not someone destined to rot away tending vineyards in a peripheral region.IUpQj
jijE2jl“For me, it may be enormous pressure, but it’s also a great opportunity.”rziE
WwbKn“Opportunity… you say…?”a0owm54
Zc0“As long as that terrified magical advisor remains within Princess Roselin’s field of vision, he will remain safe. Then that confusion-type bastard will inevitably come to kill me.”I8pS6nk
sVCGrOThe enemy’s next target could be deduced.zuDi
RHBmlAnd if that was the case, a trap could also be set.aPtL6B9
JAlBo6zOf course, every opportunity had a price.SKPE3
Ul9K7wb“I’ll put my life up as the stake. If I win, will you collect the winnings, Princess Roselin?”jA7
gGgpDereck grabbed Princess Roselin’s slender arm and spoke with a terrifying expression.4Z6IRv
m4tJGFaced with that proposal, Roselin could only remain with her mouth slightly open.NXswR
uYI8MjHe was speaking completely seriously.LUh
0WObF2He truly intended to resolve this extreme situation immediately and decisively.Kpy
fV99KN“…!”oLj
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